The Select Program aims to serve those looking to progress their coaching experience while giving back to our community. Our program would not be successful without the dedication and support of our volunteer coaches. We’d like to thank you for considering coaching.
If you are interested in applying to be a Select coach, please fill out the 2024 Fall Select Volunteer Coach Interest Form.
Please read on for important information regarding Coaching opportunities.
Select Coaching Profile
Our Select Coaches come from a variety of backgrounds but all share a passion for Soccer, youth development, and community service. Some coaches are experienced parent volunteers who have previously coached a few seasons in our Recreation program and are ready to experience coaching a higher level of play. Others are former players from the collegiate or similar levels of soccer who are newer to coaching but ready to share their deeper understanding of the game with the next generation of motivated players. Finally, Select offers individuals interested in exploring the profession of youth soccer coaching an environment to gain hands-on experience and work with our professional staff throughout the season. Several of our Select coaches have managed to move on to competitive coaching positions.
Coach Job Description and Requirements
We are looking for outgoing, positive, energetic and reliable individuals with prior experience playing and coaching soccer.
Coaches are selected prior to each season’s team formation by our Director of Coaching and notified if they have been targeted for a team by the Select program’s coordinator. Coaching assignments will be finalized at the conclusion of tryouts when the final number of teams that can be formed is determined. Coach selection is based on the following in order of importance:
1. Coaches that exhibit an understanding of child development and how children best learn
2. Coaches that demonstrate a command of the game of soccer and how to develop age-appropriate attributes, skills and knowledge required to succeed over time
3. The coach with the highest coaching license
4. The coach with the most years of experience
You will train and coach a team, working with children between the ages 9-16 as a part of the club’s volunteer coaching staff.
The role requires approximately 8-10 hours / week between July to November during the club’s Fall season and December to March during the Winter season.
Activities include planning and delivering training sessions during the afternoon or evenings 2 days a week and travel to 1-2 games. Given limited field space during the
Winter season, coaches will be asked to work closely with the club’s field coordinator on training dates and times and may need to hold training sessions on some weekends.
Coaches will also be asked to administer their team using online tools across the course of their season. Team training occurs in Walnut Creek and games take place in nearby cities, usually within a 1 hour drive.
While potential coaches are encouraged to promote the Select program with players and parents and encourage players to try-out, coaches are not allowed to make promises or otherwise infer selection to a team.
Assistant Coaching
Assistant Coaches play a key role in making the team successful and can be a great entry point into the Select Program’s coaching opportunities.
Each team is allowed 1-2 Assistant Coaches. No more than 2 coaches may be in the technical area during a match. Assistant Coaches are often earlier in their coaching journey than those selected for Head Coach roles.
Assistant coaches may be assigned a team by the club, or may be recruited by the Head Coach from their team’s parents. All assistant coaches must be approved by the club’s Director of Coaching.
Evaluation Process
In order to coach, volunteers must fill out the 2024 Fall Select Volunteer Coach Interest Form. This needs to be completed each year. The form is COMPLETELY separate from the registration you completed for your child.
Candidates are evaluated based on a review of their qualifications. The selection of coaches is made by the club’s Director of Coaching and being assigned to a team is not guaranteed.
Many Coaches volunteer to coach their child’s team, however volunteering does not guarantee that one’s child will be selected during tryouts nor does a child being selected guarantee an opportunity to coach.
Post Selection - What to Expect
Once selections are made, Volunteers can expect to attend coaching meetings from time to time as well as work closely with the Select program coordinator and their team’s families in preparation for the season.
All volunteers must complete a background check, which the club coordinates and will be required to complete concussion, player safety and child abuse education training. Each coach will receive information on how to complete the required health and safety
course(s) each season. These courses are required by law.
Additionally, depending on the season and league of play, Volunteers may be required to obtain certain coaching certifications, either online or in locally hosted field training sessions.
Coaching Education
Coaches are provided with education opportunities in several forms. The club shares its coaching curriculum and the coach will have the opportunity to discuss it with the Select program’s coordinator and other coaches on staff.
Additionally, the Director of Coaching provides guidance and may schedule coaching clinics for interested participants.
The club makes coaches aware of USSF licensing and other coaching education opportunities they can attend.
Lastly, coaches will have the opportunity to observe and shadow professional trainers in order to learn first-hand from those coaching similarly aged teams.
Trainers, Managers or Parent are required to report injuries during games or practices that require immediate medical attention, or a significant injury to the player. Use this link to report.
WCSSC must comply with state of California guidelines for head injuries, including return to play policy. More information on return to play can be found in our Concussion education tab.